Is Your Plan Not To Plan?

business plan versus execution matrix

To have a profitable business and sell a business at the best possible price - you need to plan and action the plan.

 

A good business plan will be the guiding light for everything that happens in your business and your life.

 

Why do I include "... your life" in that statement. Because your business is the vehicle to create the lifestyle you want and deserve.

If you don't take time out of your business to plan and prepare for success then you are effectively planning NOT to plan and your business is effectively dragging you along behind it!

"If we do not change direction, we are liable to end up where we are headed.” - John Whitmore author of "Coaching For Performance"

However, success not only relies on a good plan but also good execution. There are many reasons why business owners do not create and work to a strategic plan:

  1. They don't know they need one
  2. They don't understand strategy
  3. They believe it is a waste of time
  4. No-one ever reads it or follows it
  5. It is a lot of work and just sits on the shelf collecting dust

If it is a lengthy document and put together badly, then yes, it is a waste of time and yes, it will sit on a shelf and collect dust.

However, if it fits on a single page, is easy to understand and is created and tested properly, and then executed, Strategy_699x699it is a fantastic tool for guiding the business! It comes down to strategy AND execution. Let's look at some scenarios:

If there is a very low level of strategy in the business and a low level of execution, then basically the business is GOING NOWHERE.

If there is a low level of strategy but high execution, then the business is BUSY BEING BUSY! In other words, lots of day to day activity but no vision of where the business is going!

When there is a high level of strategy and planning but a low level of execution, then everyone in the business is FRUSTRATED.

A high level of strategy and good execution leads to SUCCESS - provided the strategy is a good one! That's where the testing comes in.

HOW TO START: In order to create a business plan I recommend you start by describing in writing your ideal life style "at some point in the future". The timeframe is very much dependent upon your own personal circumstances and where you are at right now. Once you have the vision for your ideal lifestyle in mind, then think about what your business would have to be like to sustain that lifestyle.

  • How big would your business be?
  • What would be the monthly / annual PROFIT (not turnover)
  • How many people would be in the business?
  • What would your role be - how many hours per week, doing what?
  • How much would it be worth if you wanted / needed to sell?
  • Could you sell it or would you exit some other way?

NEXT STEP: Work backwards from the vision you have just created and set milestones and measures. (I call it 'backcatsing' - the opposite of forecasting). Work backwards to the present time and start taking action on your plan.

If you are a business owner and want to know more about my planning and accountability process and how I can help you, then book a complimentary chat with me. Just click the Schedule A Call button below.

Alternatively, take my quick saleability quiz and immediately get a personalised report to tell you the key strengths of your business and areas that need working on. 

I provide the tools, mentoring, and accountability to create a practical and actionable plan to grow your business. Through one on one or group mentoring I re-energise business owners to focus and execute their plans for SUCCESS.

WHAT MEMBERS AND WORKSHOP ATTENDEES HAVE SAID

A few years before I wanted to sell my business, I attended John’s “Prepare Your Business Ready For Sale” course and this was extremely beneficial. I discovered that selling a business was a lot more complicated than I expected. After the course John worked with me as my business ready for sale coach to prepare my company for sale over an 18 month period.

When the time came to list I was fully prepared and achieved a very satisfying result. I cannot thank John and his mentoring group members enough for the support and guidance. My advice to business owners, call John today.

Nolan Penning

Former Owner - Magnum Flavours & Ingredients

When it comes time to make big decisions, to bounce ideas off people or have a focus group on a new product, that’s when it can feel very lonely for a lot of small business people. That is where I have found John Denton’s mentoring/business owners group (BOTA) to be invaluable assistance. You are grouped with a wide variety of like-minded people who want to improve their business, willing to share their time and experience to potentially help you. The advice also comes un-biased with no strings attached, and sometimes it hurts! The fact that I have been a member for over 8 years and my business has improved each year is testament to the value of the group and the professionalism of John as a facilitator. I recommend the group unreservedly.

Gary Maynard

Owner - MediChill

Whether you’re just getting started with your business or already thinking about an exit, John’s workshop will give you the right information to consider to ensure the whole process goes smoothly. Well worth it! It covers a range of issues often missed by business owners. As they say “a business worth selling, is a business worth keeping”, so even if you’re NOT interested in selling, I highly recommend attending one of these workshops because it will open your eyes to new opportunities. It will help you get out of the “job” you’ve created for yourself, think like a real entrepreneur and build something that works for you without you being present all the time.

Jurgen Van Pletsen

Entrepreneur and Founder of Blink Innovation, Niche Interview and others

As part of the regular Mentor group sessions we each got our turn in the spotlight to review our business with the group. When I presented my business situation and asked for advice the consensus that came from John and the group was to stop manufacturing and concentrate on importing only.

I put this plan into action and now our business runs itself with just a little input from myself and my wife.  I feel a lot less stressed and am mostly retired now. Throughout my time in the group I regularly received advice and mentoring that turned out to be invaluable. I would thoroughly recommend this group to anyone who needs help with direction.

Michael McElhinney

Owner - Anna Chandler Design

It doesn’t matter if you are planning to sell next year, in five years, or in twenty – at some point it is likely that you will be looking to sell it.  Before you do, it is essential that you know what your business is worth on the market.

If you haven’t thought about how you intend to sell your business when you started it up – and lets face it, many business owners don’t – then this course is essential.  You need to prepare for at least three years prior to selling, so thinking about your exit strategy early is extremely worthwhile.  I’d recommend this course to the owner of any business so that they can understand how their business is valued, and how to produce a more saleable, and valuable, asset

Steve Laing

Former Owner - AceScooters

Party Plus engaged John Denton to present and facilitate an all-day workshop for franchisees (business owners). The day included presentations and activities on the business sale process, with an emphasis upon achieving maximum sale price and minimum timeframe through a process of conscious business planning and improvement.

John received a consistently high rating and positive comments from the franchisees. As the event organiser, I appreciated John’s willingness to determine our brief for the day, to relate his presentation to prior learning events we had conducted, and to deliver as per our expectation.  I found John reliable to work with, he delivered what was agreed in full, exercised good time management , and was flexible on the day to spend more or less time in areas the attendees wanted.

Party Plus franchisees operate a 6 day business, so to ask them to devote a Sunday off to a workshop and pay for it takes a leap of faith.  John delivered and the franchisees stated they gained real value from their investment.

I have no hesitation in recommending John’s work to other groups.

Andrew Foote

Former Master Franchisor - Party Plus

I would like to thank You and the Team ( and I don’t use the word ‘team’ lightly), at your Advanced Mentoring Group (now BOTA) which I have participated in for over two years. The amount that I have learned from our meetings is huge, being the sponge that I am, I have put many things into practice from implementing full Systems and Procedures to knowing the numbers and what they mean to marketing and sales and my business which has progressed in leaps and bounds trippling in turnover over that period and now heading to a solid 2.5 million in turnover, cutting many costs and increasing Net profit.

Without the help from yourself and the BOTA group and those wonderful, knowledgeable, people involved I would never have built a Triple award winning successful business and would never have started another one at the same time.

Leon Best

Former Owner - Bestgroup Pty Ltd

Just wanted to let you know that we have now re-branded and thank god we listened to you as things have been improving ever since !

We are now doing custom branded candles for companies and small business’ which has proven to be very successful , we are working away at getting new customers and working on maintaining the relationship so repeat orders are placed. Thanks again John for your help and the mentoring group experience

Kathii Richards

Former Owner of Evaglo Natural Skin Care

The group sessions help me refocus on the Big Picture. As a single operator, the brain storming sessions are great. It has helped me think more about working on the business.

FO – Karrinyup

This year has caused a paradigm shift in both my professional and personal life. Every month I was challenged with constructive advice to implement, creating a strong driven & directed future. Thanks John! A year worth remembering! You have impacted my future and helped to create security for my family.

LE – Ellenbrook

The program has helped to re-focus every month on working on my business. I have implemented many of the topics discussed into my business and personal life with great success. I highly recommend this mentoring program to anyone who wants to improve their business.

SW – Carramar

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